So far in my series of eight simple reasons not to get an unlicensed stem cell treatment I’ve covered three compelling reasons: potential loss of insurance coverage for negative outcomes that could cost hundreds of thousands of dollars, failure of patient follow up by the doctors and clinics, and exclusion from future clinical trial participation. […]
Advanced Cell Technology (ACT) is well into clinical trials for macular degeneration (the leading cause of blindness) using human embryonic stem cell (hESC)-based retinal pigmented epithelial cells (RPE). To date, the trials suggest the products are safe. Efficacy? We don’t know. I am cautiously hopeful, but it is frustrating to know that most clinical trials
Every now and then a paper on stem cells lands many international headlines and also captures people’s imaginations. This seems to be the case for the recent urine stem cell paper from a team in China, which has made huge headlines. In addition to mainstream media, the paper was covered in Wired here and also by one
Why did urine stem cell paper create global media sensation? Read More »
I’ve received such a huge response (more than 20 nominees) for the Knoepfler Lab Stem Cell Person of the Year Award and the nominees to date are so awesome that I’ve decided for practical purposes to end the nomination period a bit earlier than originally planned. Thus, tomorrow Dec. 13 will be the last day
The University of California (UC), a truly wonderful organization, seems to have made a misstep with its new logo. Below on the left is the old logo and on the right is the new logo. I did a poll here that got a huge response on what people thought the new symbol represented. Just 2%
Have I got a stem cell for you! We hear a lot about the dangers of an increasing number of rogue stem cell clinics, but another critical trend has flown more under the radar: direct marketing of stem cells to doctors. This is big business and arguably one of the biggest threats to patients. In
Stem cell black market emerging in the U.S. Read More »
One of the most exciting types of stem cells are mesenchymal stem cells or MSCs. Although there is some debate about these cells (e.g. I once heard Irv Weissman say at a meeting he wasn’t sure they really existed as such), a consensus would seem to be that they have great potential medical potential. Perhaps
Mapping global trends in MSC & stem cell clinical trials: unexpected findings Read More »
I’m a UC system employee, but I really hate the new UC logo. Look below on the left is our old logo and now the new one on the right. I haven’t found a single person who likes the new logo or thinks the change was wise, but what exactly does this new logo seem
Take funny poll on what new UC logo most symbolizes to you Read More »
The Knoepfler Lab Blog is giving out a Stem Cell Person of the Year 2012 Award (details here) with a cash prize of $1000. The deadline for nominations for this award is in 10 days. So far I’ve received almost 20 nominations, but I’d like even more. Call me crazy for this as it’ll just
Ten days until nominations due for Knoepfler Lab Stem Cell Person of the Year 2012 Award Read More »
A scientist named Dr. Rongxiang Xu has, according to the newspaper The Australian, sued the Nobel Prize Committee for giving the award to Yamanaka and Gurdon and not him. Xu is quoted in the article that he “discovered ‘regenerative cells’ in 1984. The suit filed in S. California, alleges libel and unfair competition. The Australian
Chinese scientist sues Nobel Committee for defamation over awards to Yamanaka and Gurdon Read More »